Devices and methods for generating tactile feedback

Abstract

A method for use in an electronic device is described. The electronic device is configured to function in a first operating state and a second operating state. The method comprises generating, when in the first operating state, a first tactile feedback in response to user input associated only with the first operating state.

1 . A method for use in an electronic device, the electronic device being configured to function in a first operating state and a second operating state, the method comprising:
 generating, when in the first operating state, a first tactile feedback in response to user input associated only with the first operating state.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein user input associated with the first operating state comprises user input to control only a first functional partition of the electronic device and wherein user input associated with the second operating state comprises user input to control only a second functional partition of the electronic device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the functional partitions are configured to allow access to at least one predetermined component of the electronic device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one predetermined component of the electronic device comprises one or more of an executable component, an application, a block of memory, user-received items, received data, and user entered data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when in the first operating state, only the electronic device is configured to be controlled by user input provided via the electronic device; and   when in the second operating state, the electronic device is configured to be coupled to a further electronic device and to provide user input received via the electronic device to the further electronic device for controlling an operation associated with the further electronic device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first tactile feedback is generated in response to controlling an operation associated only with the electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when in the first operating state, the electronic device is configured to be coupled to a further electronic device and to provide user input received via the electronic device to the further electronic device for controlling an operation associated with the further electronic device; and   when in the second operating state, only the electronic device is configured to be controlled by user input provided via the electronic device.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first tactile feedback is generated in response to providing user input to the further electronic device for controlling an operation which is associated with the further electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first tactile feedback is generated in response to receiving data from the further electronic device based on an operation which is associated with the further electronic device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein, when in the second operating state, the electronic device is configured to output display data to the further electronic device pertaining to one of a plurality of executable applications executable on the electronic device for display on the further electronic device and wherein the operation associated with the further electronic device comprises interaction with a display object generated at least in part on the received displayed data. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the operation which is associated with the further electronic device comprises interaction with a given one of a plurality of executable applications on the further electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the data received from the further electronic device pertains to an event occurring in association with the given application. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event comprises one or more of receipt of a user-readable message received by the given application or a user notification generated by the given application. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , when in the second operating state, the method comprising:
 receiving user input at the electronic device for controlling the operation which is associated with the further electronic device; and   outputting control data from the electronic device for controlling the operation which is associated with the further electronic device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , when in the first operating state, the method comprising:
 receiving user input at the electronic device for controlling the operation which is associated with the further electronic device; and   outputting control data from the electronic device for controlling the operation which is associated with the further electronic device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the operation which is associated with the further electronic device comprises controlling hardware of the further electronic device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first tactile feedback comprises one or more of: vibration of the electronic device or haptics on a screen of the electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein user input at the electronic device is received from one or more of: a button on the electronic device, a touch sensitive interface on the electronic device, a motion detector within the electronic device, such as a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer, an electromagnetic radiation receiving device, such as a camera and an audio receiving device, such a microphone. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 generating, when in the second operating state, a second tactile feedback in response to user input associated with the second operating state, wherein the first tactile feedback and the second tactile feedback are different to one another.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the second tactile feedback comprises one or more of: vibration of the electronic device or haptics on a screen of the electronic device. 
     
     
         21 . An electronic device, comprising processing circuitry configured to:
 operate in a first operating state and operate in a second operating state, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to switch between the first and second operating states; the processing circuitry being further configured to:   generate, when operating in the first operating state, a first tactile feedback in response to the operation which is associated only with the first operating state.   
     
     
         22 . A computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to perform a method at an electronic device, the electronic device being configured to function in a first operating state and a second operating state, the method comprising:
 generating, when in the first operating state, a first tactile feedback in response to user input associated only with the first operating state.